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Boxing Day sales in Blenheim attracted a Christchurch family out to browse and buy when they would otherwise have avoided one of the biggest retail days of the year.

Kaylene Hamilton was visiting family in Blenheim yesterday with her husband and daughters Sophie, 11, and Lucy, 10.

The whole family, along with their grandmother and grandfather, were at Rebel Sport looking for swimming gear and a hockey stick for the two girls when the Express arrived.

Mrs Hamilton said she tended to avoid Boxing Day sales in Christchurch.

"It's much better in Blenheim because there's not so many people," she said. "It's a lot quieter during the sales here, so it's nice to be able to relax."

Meanwhile, other shoppers around town were more focused on bagging a bargain. Vineyard workers Fabiola Belmar, Paula Castillo and Layla Yapur, of Chile, were checking out the deals for camping gear at The Warehouse.

"We don't have Boxing Day sales in Chile," Miss Belmar said.

The trio, who have been in Blenheim for two months, were planning a camping trip in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Nicole Valentine, of Christchurch, was at The Warehouse with her sister Katrina Powell, of Blenheim, and two-year-old daughter Tori Powell.

Ms Valentine said she was keen to have a look at the Boxing Day sales around town because she usually worked.

"It's a shame that only the big chain stores seem to be open," she said.

"If smaller businesses opened it would be a good chance for them with so many more people in town than usual. It might encourage more people to spend their money in their stores."

Deb Bennet, of Christchurch, spent Christmas with her family at their bach in Picton. Mrs Bennet and her husband were given vouchers for presents.

"The kids all gave us vouchers because we're old and they don't know what to get us," she said.

Locky and Kathy Dick, of Christchurch, were at Briscoes in Blenheim with daughters Ellen, 19, and Tamara, 14.

They had hit the shops to make the most of the Boxing Day deals, following a traditional Kiwi Christmas with the extended family.